As God transforms us into His image, He brings us through a process of self-examination. It is all about grace. His Holy Spirit pierces through our innermost crevices as we welcome His truth. As Paul related, it is to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). How do we experience this process?
RELEVANCE
David provides many visual aids through his life’s story and Psalms he wrote. He learned that the key to God’s favor is a surrendered and yielding heart. “The LORD near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). He, therefore, sought God’s examination and welcomed God’s correction. “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; try my mind and my heart” (Psalm 26:2).
David allowed his heart to receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit, seeing the ugliness and effect of sin. David knew the LORD was His source of forgiveness. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
David, therefore, could come clean before God, maintaining his covenant position with God. Regardless of who he may have offended or sinned against, he had a revelation that all sin was against His Maker, God. He would, therefore, take his issue before God. “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight– that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:2-4).
What David came to understand is that God requires a heart that leans towards continuous change in the direction towards righteousness before God. “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of much transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:12-14).
REFLECT AND RELATE
Self-examination is not a process whereby you beat yourself up, but simply receive God’s truth that will set you free. That’s what God seeks: truth and integrity of heart.
REFERENCES
Psalm 24:4; 25:1-22; 51:10